Journal of pain and symptom management
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Therapeutic Reviews aim to provide essential independent information for health professionals about drugs used in palliative and hospice care. Additional content is available via www.medicinescomplete.com. The series editors welcome feedback on the articles (hq@palliativedrugs.com).
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2019
ReviewThe association between benzodiazepines and survival in patients with cancer: a systematic review.
Patients with cancer often experience distressing symptoms such as anxiety or dyspnea, which can be managed with benzodiazepines; however, concerns regarding the impact of these drugs on survival may dissuade prescribing and compliance. ⋯ Existing evidence shows no association between benzodiazepine use in patients with cancer and decreased survival. None of the studies evaluated the association between benzodiazepine use and survival in earlier stages of cancer, and the quality of studies retrieved signifies a need for further robust studies to draw more definitive conclusions. Further investigation in patients with cancer using well-designed, high-quality research with survival as a primary outcome should be conducted.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2019
ReviewThe association between benzodiazepines and survival in patients with cancer: a systematic review.
Patients with cancer often experience distressing symptoms such as anxiety or dyspnea, which can be managed with benzodiazepines; however, concerns regarding the impact of these drugs on survival may dissuade prescribing and compliance. ⋯ Existing evidence shows no association between benzodiazepine use in patients with cancer and decreased survival. None of the studies evaluated the association between benzodiazepine use and survival in earlier stages of cancer, and the quality of studies retrieved signifies a need for further robust studies to draw more definitive conclusions. Further investigation in patients with cancer using well-designed, high-quality research with survival as a primary outcome should be conducted.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2019
ReviewClinically significant drug-drug interactions involving medications used for symptom control in patients with advanced malignant disease. A systematic review.
Most patients with advanced malignant disease need to take several drugs to control symptoms. This treatment raises risks of serious adverse effects and drug-drug interactions (DDIs). ⋯ Drugs used for symptom control in patients with advanced cancer may cause serious DDIs. Although there is limited evidence for the risk of clinically significant DDIs, physicians treating patients with cancer should try to limit polypharmacy, avoid drug combinations with a high risk of DDIs, and closely monitor patients for adverse drug reactions.
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J Pain Symptom Manage · May 2019
ReviewClinically significant drug-drug interactions involving medications used for symptom control in patients with advanced malignant disease. A systematic review.
Most patients with advanced malignant disease need to take several drugs to control symptoms. This treatment raises risks of serious adverse effects and drug-drug interactions (DDIs). ⋯ Drugs used for symptom control in patients with advanced cancer may cause serious DDIs. Although there is limited evidence for the risk of clinically significant DDIs, physicians treating patients with cancer should try to limit polypharmacy, avoid drug combinations with a high risk of DDIs, and closely monitor patients for adverse drug reactions.